Defensive end Willie VanDeSteeg isn’t sure what more he could have done to impress the NFL.

The Silver Lake, Minn., native finished as the Gophers’ all-time leader in career tackles for losses with 44 1/2, and last season he was third in the Big Ten — 18th in the nation — with 10 1/2 sacks.

Still, he wasn’t invited to the NFL combine in Indianapolis in February, and he is projected, at best, as a late-round draft pick.

“You’d think all my credentials and what I did on the field was enough,” VanDeSteeg said Friday. “I guess people must think I’m kind of undersized for a defensive end. But I played every year, and I did just as well as people who were bigger and faster than me.”

The 6-foot-4, 256-pounder wants to be the next Gopher to overcome an NFL slight and prove that he is NFL material.

Former Minnesota defensive end Greg White was selected in the seventh round by the Houston Texans in 2002, then bounced around several NFL rosters and even in the Arena Football League before landing in the rotation of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He has 13 sacks in the past two seasons.

Running back Marion Barber III was selected in the fourth round by the Dallas Cowboys in 2005, and he earned a trip to the Pro Bowl after the 2008 season.

Offensive lineman Ben Hamilton was selected in the fourth round by the Denver Broncos in 2001, and he has started 96 games.

Safety Tyrone Carter was released by the Vikings and the New York Jets before finding a niche with the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2004.

“When you say Big Ten, people think of Michigan and Ohio State,” said Carter, who intercepted three passes in the regular season and one in the playoffs last season for the Super Bowl champion Steelers. “Minnesota hasn’t won a Big Ten or been a powerhouse team, although coach (Glen) Mason took us to a lot of bowl games.”

The Gophers haven’t finished higher than fourth place in the conference since 1986, when they tied for third. In the past 12 seasons — 10 under Mason — the Gophers are 72-74 in conference games.

Former Gophers quarterback Tony Dungy wasn’t drafted, but he played four seasons in the NFL, helping the Steelers win a Super Bowl after the 1978 season with a team-high six interceptions. Dungy acknowledged the Gophers aren’t known as a source for NFL talent, but he added that the NFL doesn’t discriminate.

“I tell kids all the time, ‘If you’re a good player, the NFL is going to find you,’ ” said Dungy, the former head coach of the Buccaneers and Indianapolis Colts. “It’s not like an Ohio State, where you got 10 guys that you’re looking at every year. Maybe the name brand and the name recognition isn’t there. But it’s a case-by-case basis.”

Carter, a fourth-round pick, remembered where he stacked up at his position in the 2000 NFL draft.

“I had eight guys taken ahead of me,” Carter said, rattling off the names, several of whom are no longer in the league. “It was a surprise. But I’ve been dealing with that my whole life.”

Despite winning the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back, Carter was overlooked because of his size (5 feet 9) and lack of explosive speed. Yet his high football IQ, his playmaking skills and his tackling ability have enabled him to play nine NFL seasons … and counting.

“No man can dictate me. Only myself,” Carter said. “I will last as long as I want to last. I wonder how many people from the Big Ten have two (Super Bowl rings). Not too many.”

VanDeSteeg said he was pleased with his performance at the Gophers’ Pro Day, and he isn’t discouraged by his perceived shortcomings.

“I played against a lot of good players,” VanDeSteeg said. “I did fairly well against them. I got a sack on Jake Long,” an offensive tackle who was the No. 1 overall pick in last year’s draft.

“I just want an opportunity,” VanDeSteeg said, “then it’s in my hands. If I don’t make it, then that’s on me.”

VanDeSteeg said he knows defenses, noting that he had four coordinators during his Gophers career, and he added that he is a relentless player.

“I might not be fast enough, (and I might be) a little undersized,” he said, “but I have a motor, and I keep on running.”

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